Monday 11th November-Day one. 17.5 kms paddling upstream on the Perry River.
What a delightful day: blue sky, about 22 degrees, no wind going out. We paddled about 6km downstream to the lunch stop. Getting out, Rob almost avoided falling into the mud, but not quite. After lunch Roz led the way, Pat having said "she's good at getting through the trees and branches". So we paddled on, scraping the bottoms of our kayaks on submerged branches, getting snagged (or not) on blackberry branches until we went as far as we could paddle - about 20 metres past Perrys Bridge. At that point, it was not a matter of wending our way through floating or submerged bushes and branches.
It was straight out lack of water. A moderately athletic person could have jumped over the continuation of the Perry River, despite Pat declaring that the map shows that river goes "a lot further". At the next "stretch our legs" stop I learned the very useful technique of getting in or getting out using the paddle on the stern side of kayak. Have most of the shaft of the paddle on the bank, sit on paddle shaft, grab the stern edge of the cockpit together with the paddle shaft then slide your bum across. No mud! No escaping kayak!
Coming back started out with a tail wind but turned into a head wind against the current. Good to get back. Those staying at the Stratford Caravan Park had dinner at the pub.
Rob.
Tuesday 12th November- Day two 19.22 kms paddling on the Avon River.
The river is peaceful, no wind and clear blue skies. We are a group of four paddling up the Avon river after launching at Perry bridge. Ros, Pat, Rob and myself set off around 9am. I brought my 3 piece modular kayak which fits neatly into the back of my hatchback. Rob is on a club boat, while Ros and Pat are on their usual vessels.
After paddling past a few campsites and people fishing on the wide river, the river begins to narrow and the cleared land gives way to eucalypt fringed vistas. A number of sea eagles are present, either looking at us curiously from the tree tops or soaring well above.
A morning rest stop sees us perched in an old tinny navigating through a sea green field. The sounds of the nearby Bengworden Road crossing the river draws us back onto the water, curious to see how far past the bridge we can paddle. Previous explorations by some members encountered sand bars making traversing this far up difficult. However we are in luck and there is a lot of water in the river. Passing sleepy water dragons and some turtles, a water loving tiger snake and numerous kingfishers, we continue upstream. The eucalypts are replaced with willows, the bright green highlighting the brown river and sandy banks.
Despite the water depth allowing us to continue, time dictates that we must turn around. After a lunch stop on a high sandy bank under a shady tree we make our way back downstream into a headwind. Not so enjoyable this time but determination makes for good timing, while still observing many birds along the way, including a group of pelicans gathered in a more sheltered part of the river.
Jenni
Particpants: Mark Watkins, Michele Timmins, Pat Williams, Roz Spratt, Rob Reid Smith, Richard McNeil, Jenni Chandler, and Avenel Casson.
